Asthma affects millions of children worldwide, and new research suggests what kids like to eat could play a role.
A study of more than 8,400 first-graders in Shanghai found that children with a preference for pickled, smoked or fried foods were more likely to have asthma, while those who favored seafood showed a lower risk.
Researchers surveyed children and their parents about food preferences and health history, then assessed asthma risk through medical exams. After accounting for other factors, the results showed that children who liked pickled and smoked foods were nearly twice as likely to have asthma compared with those who didn’t. Girls with a preference for fried foods faced an especially high risk, while seafood preference among normal-weight children appeared protective.
“Pickled and smoked foods contain compounds that can trigger oxidative stress and airway inflammation, while seafood may offer protective effects through omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D,” said study author Zengliang Ruan, PhD, of Southeast University in Nanjing, China.
The findings, which were published in Pediatric Investigation, echo broader trends. Asthma rates among children in China have more than tripled since 1990, reaching nearly 5% among first-graders in this study. Boys were more than twice as likely as girls to have asthma, consistent with earlier research pointing to differences in hormones, airway size and exposures.
While the cross-sectional design means the study cannot prove cause and effect, the large sample size and biologically plausible explanations add weight to the findings. Pickled and smoked foods often contain nitrites and other compounds linked to inflammation, while fried foods are typically high in unhealthy fats and salt, which may further irritate airways. Seafood, in contrast, provides anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids and immune-supporting vitamin D.
The takeaway for parents: children’s food preferences may influence more than growth and weight. Encouraging a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and seafood, as well as limiting heavily processed, fried or salty foods, could help support not only overall nutrition but also respiratory health.
This research was supported by the Research Foundation of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities and the Start-Up Research Fund of Southeast University.